On Tuesday, star footballer Karim Benzema joined hands with Al-Ittihad, a Saudi Arabian club after playing for Real Madrid for 14 years and 648 games. Benzema will be playing against his former Madrid colleague Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in January. Announcing the news, Al-Ittihad posted a picture on Twitter where Benzema was spotted signing until 2026. As per reports, the contract is expected to be worth more than 100 million euros ($106.89 million).
“I am excited to experience a new football league in a different country. I have been fortunate to achieve amazing things in my career and achieve everything I can in Spain and Europe,” the 35-year-old Benzema said.
“It now feels the time is right for a new challenge and project … I am looking forward to joining my new teammates and, together with them, help take this amazing club and the game in Saudi Arabia to new levels.”
The 35-year-old played the last game for Madrid against Athletic Bilbao and scored a goal as the game ended in a 1-1 draw on Sunday. Talking about Al-Ittihad, it is the port city of Jeddah, who won its first Saudi league title since 2009 last month after they overhauled Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr from the capital city of Riyadh.
“Benzema’s arrival is the most impactful transfer in the club’s history to date,” Al Ittihad said in a statement.
“It also marks another huge step in the Saudi Pro League’s journey to becoming one of football’s leading destinations for the world’s very best after its biggest season to date.”
As of now, Benzema will be the best player in the squad that was earlier dependent on Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, the league’s top scorer. The team's coach is Nuno Espirito Santo, who previously worked with Wolverhampton and Tottenham in the English Premier League.